Lionel Messi has been the subject of all kinds of tributes as soon as Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup title, but none of those will be as significant as one special token of appreciation that will be shared by one of La Albiceleste's bitter rivals.
The tribute we are talking about will come from the Superintendent of Sport for the state of Rio de Janeiro, who will ask Messi to come to Maracaná Stadium to unveil his spot in the Hall of Fame located in the stadium's premises. This honor usually is granted to Brazilian personalities, but Messi will be joining a few foreign players to be graced with such a distinction.
"Messi has already shown all his importance on and off the field. He is a player who has been at the highest level in the history of football for years. Winning the World Cup is just the crowning glory of a beautiful and victorious career," Adriano Santos, president of the Superintendency, stated.
The tribute to Messi would see have his footprints made in clay, and once they have been created, his footprints would be place among the legends currently gracing Maracaná's Hall of Fame. Additionally, his name will be included on a wall with all the celebrities that have been given the nod.
Messi will join players such as Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Eusebio, and Bobby Charlton as the only non-Brazilian members of this Hall of Fame.
